McCarthy, Kevin, 1965-

<p>Congressman Kevin McCarthy proudly serves California’s 23rd district and is currently the Republican Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. Kevin was first elected to Congress in 2006 and is a native of Bakersfield and a fourth-generation Kern County resident. The grandson of a cattle rancher and the son of a firefighter, Kevin grew up a working-class family and is committed to preserving and promoting the American dream for hardworking Americans.</p>

<p>In Washington, Kevin fights every day for the constituents of California’s 23rd District and for the future of America with the simple promise: to have the courage to lead with the wisdom to listen.</p>

<p>At the age of 21, Kevin started his own small business, Kevin O’s Deli, from the ground up. As he worked hard, hired employees, and enjoyed success in his community, he soon learned—as all small business owners do—that the margins are thin, the hours are long, and that often Sacramento and Washington are obstacles, not aids, to success. The redundant and frivolous rules along with tedious paperwork and overburdening taxes compelled Kevin to enter public service.</p>

MCCARTHY, Kevin, a Representative from California; born in Bakersfield, Kern County, Calif., January 26, 1965; attended Bakersfield College, Bakersfield. Calif., 1984-1985; B.S., California State University, Bakersfield, Calif., 1989; M.B.A., California State University, Bakersfield, Calif., 1994; staff, United States Representative William Thomas of California, 1987-2002; member of the California state assembly, 2002-2007, minority leader, 2004-2006; elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Tenth and to the seven succeeding Congresses (January 3, 2007-present); majority whip (One Hundred Twelfth and One Hundred Thirteenth Congresses); majority leader (One Hundred Thirteenth through One Hundred Fifteenth Congresses); minority leader (One Hundred Sixteenth and One Hundred Seventeenth Congress).

<p>Kevin Owen McCarthy (born January 26, 1965) is an American politician serving as House Minority Leader in the United States House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as House Majority Leader under Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan from 2014 to 2019. He was the U.S. Representative for California's 22nd congressional district from 2007 to 2013 and has served in the 23rd district since 2013 after re-districting.</p>

<p>He was formerly chairman of the California Young Republicans and the Young Republican National Federation. McCarthy was a representative in the California State Assembly from 2002 to 2006, the last two years as Minority Leader. He ran successfully for Congress in 2006. McCarthy was elected to House leadership in his second term as Republican Chief Deputy Whip from 2009 to 2011. When the Republicans took control of the House in 2011, he became House Majority Whip from 2011 until August 2014, when he was elected House Majority Leader to replace the outgoing Eric Cantor, who was defeated in his primary election.</p>

<p>When the Republicans lost their majority in the 2018 midterm elections, and Speaker Paul Ryan retired, McCarthy was elected as House Minority Leader in January 2019, making him the first California Republican to hold the post. While as House Majority Leader he was second-in-command to the Speaker, as Minority Leader he is the leader of the House Republicans.</p>